PROPOSED MODEL FOR CHEMOTACTIC DEACTIVATION - EVIDENCE FOR MICROTUBULE MODULATION OF POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTE CHEMOTAXIS

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 94  (2) , 361-369
Abstract
Incubation of the CF [chemotactic factor] Gly-His-Glyc or CCF [crystal-induced CF] with PMN [polymorphonuclear leukocyte] in the absence of a gradient, resulted in a dose-dependent depression in chemotactic activity when, after washing, the cells were challenged with the CF in a Boyden chamber. When the cells were preincubated with either CF and suitable concentrations of colchicine, the inhibition of chemotaxis that either of these agents induced when incubated with the cells alone was abolished. Deactivation reappeared when the optimal ratio between colchicine and CF was altered in either direction. Ultramicroscopic studies showed an increase in centriole-associated microtubules following incubation of cells with CF. This increase was arrested by prior exposure of the cells to colchicine. Colchicine did not alter the specific binding of CCF to human neutrophils, and lumicolchicine had no effect on chemotaxis or deactivation. The control of PMN chemotaxis was apparently predicted upon microtubule assembly evoked by cell interaction with a chemotactic gradient. Chemotaxis would be prevented by conditions that inappropriately organize responsive microtubules in either a polymerized or depolymerized configuration.